Log feed roll and flute attachment

Abstract

A log feed roll for displacing a log has a roll which may be rotated around a rotary axis, flutes for propelling the log, and removable flute attachments fastened to the flutes for contacting the log during engagement of the log in the feed roll. The flutes have flute apertures extending through side walls thereof. The attachments have a top attachment section from which generally opposed side braces extend. The attachments are fastened to the flutes by bolts extending through the brace apertures on one side brace, the flute apertures and the brace apertures on the opposing side brace, and nuts engaged on the bolts on the opposing side brace. The side walls are situated between the side braces, in abutment therewith when the attachment is fastened to the flute.

1. A feed roll for displacing a log, comprising:
 a roll having a rotary axis; 
 generally opposed first and second sets of flutes, for propelling the log, attached to said roll on an outer surface thereof, said flutes within each set being axially spaced apart relative one another and having generally opposed side walls extending across said outer surface between generally opposed inner and outer flute ends thereof, and 
 for each flute, a removable flute attachment having a top attachment section and generally opposed side braces extending therealong and away therefrom, said side braces having at least one pair of axially aligned brace apertures and said side walls having at least one flute aperture extending therebetween, said removable flute attachment being adapted for removable attachment to said flute with said top attachment section extending thereover and with said side braces in contacting engagement with said side walls and with said brace apertures and said flute aperture in registered relationship for axial insertion of a fastening means therethrough for releasably fastening said flute attachment on said flute for contacting the log. 
 
   
   
     2. The feed roll of  claim 1 , wherein each flute has an outer flute portion extending to said outer flute end and an inner flute portion extending from said outer flute portion to said inner flute end, said inner flute end being situated proximal a central position of said outer surface and said outer flute ends of said flutes in said first and second sets being situated, respectively, proximal generally opposed first and second outer edges of said outer surface, said flute apertures being situated on said inner portion with said attachment being mounted thereupon and extending at least partially thereover. 
   
   
     3. The feed roll of  claim 2 , wherein each flute attachment for said first set has at least one gripping member extending from said top attachment section in a direction generally opposite said side braces. 
   
   
     4. The feed roll of  claim 3 , wherein said top attachment section for each flute attachment for said second set is substantially planar and smooth. 
   
   
     5. The feed roll of  claim 3 , wherein said gripping member is a tooth protruding from said top attachment section. 
   
   
     6. The feed roll of  claim 2 , wherein, for each flute, said inner flute portion is axially angled away from an axial direction, relative said outer flute portion, towards said central position at an angle greater than that of said outer flute portion. 
   
   
     7. The feed roll of  claim 2 , wherein each flute in said first set has a corresponding said flute in said second set, said inner flute portion of said flute in said first set and said inner flute portion of said corresponding said flute in said second set converging toward one another. 
   
   
     8. The feed roll of  claim 7 , wherein said inner flute portion of said flute in said first set and said inner flute portion of said corresponding said flute in said second set intersect one another at said inner flute ends thereof. 
   
   
     9. The feed roll of  claim 7  wherein, for each flute, said inner flute portion is axially angled away from an axial direction, relative said outer flute portion, towards said central position at an angle greater than that of said outer flute portion. 
   
   
     10. The feed roll of  claim 1 , wherein each flute has a top flute portion, extending between said side walls, said top attachment section and said top flute portion being configured for abutment with one another when said flute apertures and said brace apertures are in said registered relationship. 
   
   
     11. The feed roll of  claim 10 , wherein said top flute portion has a recessed portion extending therein towards said outer surface and said top attachment section having a mating section extending between said side braces, said recessed portion and said mating section being configured for mating of said mating section with said recessed portion, in abutment therewith, when said flute apertures and said brace apertures are in said registered relationship. 
   
   
     12. The feed roll of  claim 2 , wherein, for each flute, said inner flute portion thereof tapers inwardly towards said outer surface. 
   
   
     13. The feed roll of  claim 1 , wherein said fastening means comprises a nut and a bolt, said nut extending through said brace apertures and said flute aperture and being releasably retained therein with a head of said bolt in contacting engagement with a one said side brace and said nut in contacting engagement with an opposing said side brace. 
   
   
     14. The feed roll of  claim 1 , wherein each flute is comprised of a single piece of material. 
   
   
     15. The feed roll of  claim 1 , wherein said inner flute end of each flute is curved inwardly towards said outer surface. 
   
   
     16. The feed roll of  claim 15 , wherein said inner flute end extends beyond said attachment towards said central position. 
   
   
     17. The feed roll of  claim 2 , wherein, for each flute, said attachment has an end section extending from said top attachment section beyond said side braces, said end section extending partially over said inner flute end. 
   
   
     18. The feed roll of  claim 6 , wherein, for each flute, said attachment has an end section extending from said top attachment section beyond said side braces, said end section extending partially over said inner flute end and intersecting said end section on an other said flute attachment fastened to said corresponding said flute. 
   
   
     19. A removable flute attachment for a feed roll for a log, the feed roll having a rotary axis and at least one flute on an outer surface thereof, the flute having generally opposed side walls with at least one pair of axially aligned flute apertures extending through the side walls, said flute attachment comprising a top flute section and side braces extending from said top flute section generally away therefrom, each side brace having at least one brace aperture adapted, when in registered relationship with the flute aperture, for axial removable insertion of a fastening means therethrough for releasably fastening said flute attachment on the flute with said side braces in abutment with the side walls. 
   
   
     20. The flute attachment of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one gripping member adapted for gripping a log, said gripping member extending from said top flute section and generally oppositely away from said side braces. 
   
   
     21. The flute attachment of  claim 19 , wherein said top flute section is generally smooth. 
   
   
     22. The flute attachment of  claim 20 , wherein said gripping member is a tooth.